Author: Staff Writer
Wits University today invited Africa’s research community to join its newly formed AI Africa Consortium which aims to develop a collaborative network focussed on the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and the application of AI in research and innovation. Addressing the virtual opening of AI Expo Africa 2021, the largest business-focused AI event in Africa, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits University, announced the ambitious partnership, saying AI and machine learning (ML) “offers huge opportunities for development and progress in Africa”. “For us to fully participate in the 21st Century, we must use this ‘scientific renaissance’ to drive…
Forge Academy, South Africa’s first fully inclusive artificial intelligence laboratory, is offering 33 interns the opportunity of a lifetime. Selected interns will grow their digital skillsets and gain valuable experience in the 4IR disciplines of software development, user experience (UX) design, 3D graphics, game design and much more. The internship programme, which is sponsored by Nokia, will begin with selected applicants completing a four-week evaluation bootcamp. From this bootcamp, the final 33 interns will be chosen to work at Forge Academy for a 12-month period. Each student will have an accredited qualification to assist in securing career opportunities. Interns will…
The headwinds and economic strain of the past 18 months have left many businesses with little option but to evaluate costs. However, a recent PwC report states that while 52 percent of companies plan to curb or defer investments, only 9 percent will make those cuts in digital transformation. “Clearly, effective processes, combined with strong risk discipline and using FinOps to optimise cloud costs is more important than ever before. Managing through turbulence and disruption has become an essential skill for CIOs and IT decision makers,” notes Marilyn Moodley, Country Leader for South Africa and WECA (West, East, Central Africa)…
Xiaomi’s new Air Fryer, the Mi Smart Air Fryer 3.5L, is now available in South Africa and will initially be sold exclusively on Mobile in Africa’s ecommerce store. The smart product connects over Bluetooth 4.0 and WiFi and is supported by the Mi Home App. It also works with Google Assistant and Alexa. According to Google Trends, which tracks popular search data, air fryer related queries grew by more than 5,000% in South Africa over the past twelve months. What’s more, in 2020, there was a 57% increase in people talking about healthy living on social channels over the previous year. Globally, the…
Jaguar South Africa is celebrating World EV Day on 9 September by giving away special one-on-one all-electric I-PACE driving experiences to ten lucky winners of an EV-themed quiz to be hosted on its Facebook page. Be warned, this is not your average social media-style quiz designed for maximum engagement with quickfire, easy-to-answer questions. Contestants will need some genuine interest in electric vehicles, the future of mobility and all-electric Formula E motorsport to succeed and scoop the prizes. The quiz will run over seven consecutive days, with one question published per day, beginning on World EV Day on 9 September. To qualify…
M-Pesa has reached 50 million monthly active customers, cementing its position as Africa’s largest FinTech platform. Launched more than 14 years ago in Kenya, M-Pesa is today available in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Ghana and Egypt. The number of active M-Pesa customers has doubled in the past five years. The milestone also comes just 18 months after Safaricom and Vodacom launched the M-Pesa Africa joint venture to accelerate growth of the service across the continent. M-Pesa Africa has been delivering digital platforms as part of its focus to be the largest fintech and digital ecosystem…
Effective today, Pick n Pay Clothing fashion ranges will be available for purchase on Zando, extending accessibility beyond its physical stores across the country and online at www.pnpclothing.co.za. “Pick n Pay Clothing customers will have more access to our clothing ranges through Zando, and we look forward to welcoming new customers who we know will enjoy the quality and affordable pieces of highly desirable fashion that we offer,” says Hazel Pillay: GM Pick n Pay Clothing. Through Zando, which is well-established in online fashion and clothing retail, Pick n Pay will be able to diversify its customer base, reaching more…
The concept of vehicle sharing is a reality in Sandton, so the thrilling prospect of driving a MINI can be available to more South Africans (including non-MINI drivers). MINI knows that MINI’s drivers and fans are forward-thinking, innovative and perhaps primed more than any other bunch of people to “get” the possibilities of the sharing economy, and embrace new ways of accessing authentic urban lifestyles. “MINI drivers are always ahead of their time and, with MINI Sharing, we will enable a group of MINI fans to participate in the burgeoning sharing economy in this country,” says Shaun Willis, Head of…
Telkom announced today that it has cut the price of the 1GB + 1GB All networks data bundle to R79 and also introduced a new 1,5GB + 1,5GB All networks data bundle at R89. These deals will initially only be available on the *180# USSD menu and from 20 September 2021 may be accessed on all other channels. Wondering if you’re eligible to get the slice on MONATE? Don’t fret, because all-networks data bundles are available for purchase to all new and existing customers (Prepaid, Post-paid and Top-up or Hybrid). While deciding on which data allocation is best for you,…
The BMW i Vision Circular concept is the German carmakers’ idea of an electric compact car in 2040, geared toward reducing components and using recycled material. The German carmaker said the four-seater is fully electrically powered and offers a generous amount of interior space within its around four-metre-long footprint. It has furthermore been designed according to circular economy principles across the board and therefore symbolises the BMW Group’s ambitious plan to become the world’s most sustainable manufacturer in the individual premium mobility space. The Vision Vehicle is one of five different concept vehicles with which the BMW Group is presenting how…